Asia-Pacific region achieves MDG hunger target, but millions still chronically hungry
Manila - The Asia-Pacific region has achieved the Millennium Development Goals’ hunger target (MDG-1c) of halving the proportion of undernourished people in 2015, however there are still 490 million people in the region, two-thirds of the world’s population, suffering chronic hunger according to a regional report on the state of food insecurity issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
While the report confirmed that the Asia and Pacific region has made some great strides in food security, achieving the largest reduction in the absolute number of undernourished people (236 million) and almost all countries now having adequate food supplies to meet people’s average dietary needs, the region is sadly still home to almost 62 percent of the world’s undernourished.
Besides the calorie consumption deficit, the problem of undernutrition is also manifested in high rates of stunting in children below five years of age, while various micronutrient deficiencies prevail among people of all ages. At the same time, the number of people who are overweight or obese is rapidly increasing in the region, especially in Southwest Pacific Island countries and middle-income countries of Asia.
Boosting efforts to fight hunger in the Philippines
The Philippines has made significant progress in improving food production and recently won recognition from FAO for achieving the international MDG-1c target. Notwithstanding, according to the regional report, challenges still remain in addressing malnutrition caused by short-term inadequacy of food intake, with 33.6 percent of children under five stunted.
In 2015, 13.7 million Filipinos are still undernourished and approximately 19 percent of the population are living on only USD 1.25 a day.
“For the country to achieve social equity and sustainable development, hunger must be completely eradicated,” said FAO Representative in the Philippines, José Luis Fernandez.
“FAO remains strongly committed to support the Philippine Government in its fight against hunger and malnutrition and in making economic growth inclusive and beneficial to the vulnerable segments of the population, particularly in the farming communities,” Mr Fernandez said.
The report concluded that slow progress of many countries in the region was due to the rise of inequality and slow growth in agriculture, which continues to employ the poorest people and affords lower wages than industries or services. Employment and livelihood security is also undermined by threats of natural disasters. More often than not, those with limited resources and vulnerable livelihoods bear the brunt of natural disasters brought by changing climate conditions.
Government initiative
Maintaining or achieving food staples self-sufficiency is a major national priority for the Philippines and in support of this, the Government has earmarked 86.1 billion Philippines pesos (US$1.9 million) for the Agricultural Development Program in 2015. The funding is being used to boost crop production and provide the essential support services including irrigation, credit, farm-to-market roads and research and development, among others.
FAO support
Guided by its Country Programming Framework, FAO complements the Government’s initiatives by strengthening the capacity of national and local government agencies in improving food and nutrition security, enhancing agricultural production and productivity and promoting e sustainable management of natural resources and agricultural adaptation and mitigation to climate change and disaster risk reduction.
About the report
The Regional Overview of Food Insecurity -Asia and the Pacific is part of the global State of Food Insecurity in the World (SOFI 2015) which is published annually by FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The report is available online at the below link: